Fire chiefs' warning ahead of first anniversary of devastating Doncaster moorland blaze

Crews from South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue spent a large chunk of last summer tackling the inferno at Hatfield Moors which swept across peatland and wiped out important wildlife habitats.

Now bosses have issued a plea for people to not to light barbecues or cigarettes on the moors, adding: “Nobody wants to see a repeat of last year.”

A spokesman said: “It’s almost one year on since the Hatfield Moor fire which caused all this destruction, and more.

“This summer, please don’t take disposable BBQs on the moors, don’t leave litter on the moors, don’t discard cigarettes on the moors.

The actual anniversary of fire breaking out was May 17, with crews then battling around the clock over the next three weeks to bring the blaze under control.